Overview of the Rongai route
7 Days Rongai route, is one of the most favourable routes to attempt Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, as it sees substantially less rain than the southern routes.
The route ‘also known as the Nalemuru route’ is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the North, close to the Kenyan border. The route offers a true wilderness experience in the early stages of the climb and fewer acclimatization opportunities.
It is less scenic and flat than other routes. Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who want a more remote hike, and for those who climb during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).
The minimum number of days required for this route is 6 days. However, 7 days are recommended because a 6-day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day 4 at Mawenzi Tarn Hurt. This route descends through the Marangu route.
7 Days Rongai Route Itinerary
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, a briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Rongai Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation: 1900m/6270ft to 2626m/8665ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Drivers will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to Marangu Gate, where registration takes place. After that, the driver will drive you to Rongai Gate/Nalemuru, which will require about 3 hours. Lunch will be on the way to the gate or at the gate before starting your climb. Your hike will start in Nalemuru village. The small winding path crosses maize, beans, and potato fields before entering the pine forest and then climbing gently through a forest. Here is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Black and White colobus and Blue monkeys, Baboons and different species of flowers. This is the tent route. Dinner will be served in your mess tent and you will camp in the Moorland area.
Day 2- Simba Camp to Second Cave
Elevation: 2626m/8665ft to 3450m/11385ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
After breakfast, we hike slowly through the moorland to the Second Cave. Here, you will have your lunch. During lunch, you will enjoy the view of Kibo, the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. The guide will lead you to Third Cave around 4:00 pm for a short acclimatization, and afterwards, you will be able to enjoy the Kenyan plains and then be led back down for dinner.
Day 3- Second Cave to Kikelelwa Camp
Elevation: 3450m/11385ft to 3600m/11880ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
This is a short day. After breakfast, we will hike very slowly and head southeast up and down the small path through the moorland. We will also hike towards Mawenzi’s peak. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley. Here you will have lunch, get time to explore the area, relax, take some pictures
Day 4- Kikelelwa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Elevation: 3600m/11880ft to 4300m/14190ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
This is another short day hike, but steep on grassy slopes. At the top, you will have magnificent views from a different angle of the National Park and Mawenzi Peak. You will arrive at Mawenzi Tarn Hut for lunch. You will then have a whole afternoon to explore the surrounding area and do acclimatisation.
Day 5- Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 4300m/14190ft to 4720m/15576ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we walk west through the Saddle and Lunner deserts, between Kibo and Mawenzi. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Kibo Hut. Sometimes you will have to pack lunch and stop on the way for lunch or a hot lunch at Kibo Hut. However, it depends on your speed. The route is dry but provides a spectacular view of the mountains. At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner then go to bed.
Days 6- Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4720m/15576ft to 5895m/19453ft to 3720m/12276ft
Distance: 21 km
Hiking time: 13-15 hours.
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert/Arctic zone/Moorland.
This is your special day when your dream comes true, your guide will wake you up around 11:00 pm for tea and biscuits, Summit will begin at midnight, we follow a switchback path up to a volcanic scree slope, passing William Point (5000m/15000 ft) to Hans Meyer Cave (5200m/17000 ft), after a short break we proceed to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim.
A bit further around the crater, we reach our goal, Uhuru Peak (5895m/19453ft), the roof of Africa. You’ll have a short time to take photos at the summit. Descending to Kibo Hut is fast. After lunch, other refreshments. Continue to the Horombo huts. You’ll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain in the evening despite your exhaustion.
Day 7 – Horombo to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 3720m/12276ft to 2720m/8976ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland/Rainforest.
This is another big day, which after an early breakfast your staff will sing and dance past for you. After all, we will descend past Mandara Hut before reaching the Marangu gate. We will cross through the moorland to the rainforest where you can spot many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many interesting things. Our route will end at Marangu Gate which will require all hikers to sign out to receive certificates of completion. A driver from Hilbas tours will drive back to Hotel. On the way back you will pass through coffee and banana farms around Marangu village.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately and we recommend choosing wool or synthetic options, like polyester or nylon, instead. Fabrics: Cotton takes a very long time to dry and is a poor insulator, so it should always be avoided in mountaineering climbs.
This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer and Bottom Base Layer for climbing.
3-4 Pairs of Underwear
2-3 Short Sleeve
1 Insulated Trekking Pants
1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
1 Insulated Winter Jacket
1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket
1 Hard Shell Jacket
1- Gaiters
A hat to keep the sun off of your face
Good socks, preferably made out of merino wool
Shoes or boots that have good traction.
Bras, A pullover sports bra without any clasps.
1- Day backpack – between 20 – 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing
1- Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended), large enough for all climbing gear, to be carried by the porters. An extra bag is to be left at the hotel with extra gear.
1-Mittens or warm gloves and an inner one.
1-Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
2- Water bottles – (total capacity at least 3 or 4 litres)
Price includes:
Transport:
– Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha and back to the airport.
-Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
– Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Accommodation:
Standard twin-sharing (double beds in one room) in a three-star hotel (Moshi town) before and after the expedition; these hotels provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Accommodation in huts. An average hut fits 6-8 people. National park rangers allocate huts. We will do our best to arrange separate huts for our groups. However, during the busy months, you may share huts with climbers from other groups. Marangu Huts have bunk beds.
Please note:
All accommodation is shared (i.e. you will share a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike with your travel companion).
If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Entry fees and salaries
-All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees, and all Government taxes.
-Guides, porters, waiters, cooks accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
Climbing crew:
-Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides licensed by –Kilimanjaro National Park.
-All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
-Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
Meals:
– Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
-3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
-All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
Hiking and safety equipment:
-All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
-Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters;
– Medical kits
Price excludes:
Insurance:
Travel insurance is not covered by the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.
Airline tickets;
Visa fee, passport, vaccinations, and medicines.
Flying Doctors;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
Personal gear rentals;
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
A tip of between 250 and 400 dollars per person is recommended for the mountain crew.
Additional Notes:
If you have booked your climb through an agent that gives you different tip information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
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